I’ve been told quite often that I look Uzbek when I’m introduced to people as an American, but what happened earlier today topped all of those previous compliments…the Damas (little mini-van taxi) driver looked in his rearview mirror at me as I was talking to a fellow PCV and said in Uzbek, “Why do you speak English so well?!” Afterwards, he was even more perplexed when I responded to him in my smoothest Uzbek, “I’m not Uzbek. I’m American. Of course I speak English well!!!”
Yesterday, I was given a traditional Uzbek dress to wear to my host-brother’s wedding. It is made of the native “Atlas” material and sewn by my talented host-cousin. It fit so perfectly that no alterations are needed. “Great! I’ll really blend in with all the other Uzbek women,” I thought…only to learn that no one else in my family is wearing an Atlas. They all had luxurious, modern gowns made for themselves. Oh.
Yes, there is inflation in the bazaars these days. Its called “here comes a foreigner with a big ‘S’ for sucker written all over her”! Last week, I bought a kilo of strawberries for 2,000 cyms ($2). This week, my host-brother bought a kilo of strawberries for 200 cyms (.20). Granted strawberries come down in price by the day as the season peaks, but I got suckered by at least 50 times the going price!!!
…its ironic and sometimes confusing how my ethnic and cultural identity works (or doesn’t) for me here in Uzbekistan. Tomorrow will be another baffling day I’m sure. Upside to that is there’s never a dull moment.
Damn strawberries are on sale (!) at my fav UWS Broadway store (Fairway) at $3 a punnet...and as for buying them as desert at Ouest last night well I am not even gunna tell you how much i paid...sounds like i am getting ripped off...
Posted by: neil | 06/01/2004 at 05:53 AM
I never know what to do when I go to the markets where you have to haggle. My mom is good at it, but clearly it is practice rather than genetics!
Posted by: Ana | 05/11/2004 at 07:21 AM
You made me smile today, as often is the case. Strawberries are 1.99 on sale here in Indiana. I always think I getting taken for a ride. Maybe I am just don't know it. Happy Sunday
Posted by: Sallie | 05/09/2004 at 06:08 AM